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Abstract

Globally, more people die from suicide than from war (Schlebusch, 2005), and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) South Sudan has the 13th highest suicide rate in the world (WHO, 2014). The study is based on seven qualitative interviews with South Sudanese with the purpose of getting a better understanding of suicide in South Sudan in a cultural perspective. The interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was applied, ensuring a bottom-up perspective. The data showed that the informants had detailed knowledge about numbers of suicide cases from their communities. Since men have shown a higher vulnerability to suicide than women globally, and this has been confirmed to be the status also in South Sudan (Möller-Leimkühler, 2003; WHO, 2014) the analysis has been focused on gender, and especially masculinity. The participants reported cultural practices and expectations related to the strictly defined gender roles as reasons for suicide in South Sudan, with an emphasis on difficulties associated by fulfilling expectations as a husband, a provider and a protector. This affected both men and women. They thought that men failing to meet the expectations and demands led to a feeling of humiliation and shame, which put them at risk for suicide. Many women became victims of abusive men, and had few ways of escaping such situation, and some were reported to choose suicide as a way of escaping. Women were seen as more resilient because the culture allowed them to show vulnerability, and this gave them the opportunity to seek advice and comfort with fellow women.

Globally, more people die from suicide than from war (Schlebusch, 2005), and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) South Sudan has the 13th highest suicide rate in the world (WHO, 2014). The study is based on seven qualitative interviews with South Sudanese with the purpose of getting a better understanding of suicide in South Sudan in a cultural perspective. The interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was applied, ensuring a bottom-up perspective. The data showed that the informants had detailed knowledge about numbers of suicide cases from their communities. Since men have shown a higher vulnerability to suicide than women globally, and this has been confirmed to be the status also in South Sudan (Möller-Leimkühler, 2003; WHO, 2014) the analysis has been focused on gender, and especially masculinity. The participants reported cultural practices and expectations related to the strictly defined gender roles as reasons for suicide in South Sudan, with an emphasis on difficulties associated by fulfilling expectations as a husband, a provider and a protector. This affected both men and women. They thought that men failing to meet the expectations and demands led to a feeling of humiliation and shame, which put them at risk for suicide. Many women became victims of abusive men, and had few ways of escaping such situation, and some were reported to choose suicide as a way of escaping. Women were seen as more resilient because the culture allowed them to show vulnerability, and this gave them the opportunity to seek advice and comfort with fellow women.